Participants in the Redefining Ready! Cohort will learn about the new research-based college and career readiness indicators, learn how to implement winning strategies for redefining student success in their districts and will be part of a national movement impacting policy, legislation and practice.
Who Should Participate?
Any district leader who is interested in furthering the Redefining Ready! initiative and mission, particularly superintendents, assistant superintendents, district office staff and experienced principals.
What Will I Learn?
By joining AASA's Redefining Ready! Cohort, you will:
- Use research-based college, career and life readiness indicators, and new K-8 indicators to shape your district’s direction
- Develop a deeper understanding of how these readiness indicators play out in different contexts
- Learn with and from visionary leaders who are at every phase of implementing these new measures of success for their students
- Work with leaders across the country to more authentically and appropriately assess and demonstrate high school graduates' readiness to survive and thrive in their futures
- Encourage success for all students beyond K-12 schooling
 We're really putting our kids in a position to be the next generation of great employees, great citizens and great people.
— Paul Kelly, principal, Elk Grove High School, District 214 (Ill.) |
Programs Dates & Details
Program Duration: July 22, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Registrations are accepted on a rolling basis.
Monthly cohort convenings will be held virtually on the fourth Thursday of each month from 1–2:30pm ET. Cohort registrants are encouraged to bring critical team members to the virtual meetings to facilitate collaboration within your district.
Participants will also experience a minimum of 2 site visits – 1 virtual and 1 face-to-face in the Spring of 2022 (subject to change based on the current pandemic situation).
Lead Faculty
David R. Schuler, superintendent, District 214 (Ill.)
Known for his ability to inspire leaders and build new opportunities for student success, Dr. David R. Schuler earned the title of 2018 Illinois and National Superintendent of the Year and served as the 2015-2016 President of AASA.
Dr. Schuler is in his 21st year as a superintendent. He has served in rural, urban and suburban settings, and currently is in his 16th year at the helm of High School District 214, Illinois’ largest high school system. In that position, he developed an innovative instructional philosophy focused on career pathways, early college credit, and industry credentials that enables students to discover their futures while still in high school.
His work on Redefining Ready! has been shared in several publications, and he has testified about college and career readiness before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. In Illinois, District 214 is active in advocating for the interests of students, staff and public education. Under his leadership, District 214 helped write, champion and pass legislation requiring every public Illinois college and university to accept Advanced Placement scores of 3 or higher, opening the door to student opportunity.
Programs Fees
The program fee is $2,000 and includes access to all cohort meetings, materials, discussions and more.